Clinical significance of imaging findings for atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation in children

Ming LI, Xin ZHANG, Xing LIU, Xiao-Bo ZHANG, Cong LUO, Hui HUI, Ting-Yu LI, De-Wen ZHANG, Yuan-Yuan ZHANG, Cui WANG, Xiang-Yang QU, Yu-Jiang CAO, Hai ZHOU, Liu-Qi WENG, Chuan-Kang LIU, Qing ZENG

Abstract

Background/aim: This study evaluated the usefulness of measuring the atlantodental interval (ADI) and lateral atlantodental spaces(LADSs) by retrospectively analyzing the imaging data of children of various ages with and without atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation(AARS).Materials and methods: The data of 495 children who underwent cranial computed tomography were collected. Among these children,255 children were clinically diagnosed with AARS while 240 children were not. ADI and LADS values were measured.Results: The difference in mean ADI between children with and without AARS in all age groups was statistically significant (t-test, allP 2.2 mm are usefulindicators for the diagnosis of AARS in patients ≤14 years old. Widened LADSs would not be helpful in the diagnosis of AARS inchildren.